While You Were Sleeping.

Oh little town of Bethlehem, looks like another silent night. Above your deep and dreamless sleep, a giant star lights up the sky.
And while you're lying in the dark, there shines an everlasting light.
For the King has left His throne and is sleeping in a manger tonight.
Tonight.
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping?
For God became a man and stepped into your world today.
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history as a city with no room for its King.
While you were sleeping.
While you were sleeping.
Mary shivers in the cold, trying to keep the Savior warm.
Born among the animals, wrapped in dirty rags.
Because there was no room for Him in the world He came to save.
United States of America, looks like another silent night.
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies that save the trees and kill the children.
And while we're lying in the dark, there's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky.
For the Bridegroom has returned and has carried His bride away in the night.
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping?
Will Jesus come again and leave us slumbering where we lay?
America, will we go down in history as a nation with no room for its King.

Will we be sleeping?
Will we be sleeping?

United States of America, looks like another silent night.

Keepin' It Real.

Day before yesterday at school, I had a client.

Unusual? No.

I gave him a haircut.

Unusual? Not a bit.

I took him to the front desk, and he paid for his haircut.
Unusual? Not remotely.

He continued rummaging around in his wallet after paying, presumably for a tip (I did a pretty good job on his haircut, if I do say so myself. Haha.).

Unusual? Nope.

I said, "Merry Christmas!" as he continued rummaging in his wallet.

Unusual? At this time of year? Of course not.

And then - and then - AND THEN, he looked up from his wallet, glared at me quite pointedly, shoved his wallet back in his pocket and said, "Happy Holidays," with the most un-cheerful face I ever saw.

Unusual? Why yes. Yes, it is, rather.

I assume I offended him by my use of Christmas.

I was only sorry that he didn't tip me.

You know, some people would have felt really bad, and in their remorse, apologized for the offense or some such nonsense. And in other instances, that would be the proper thing to do. But in this case, I don't feel as if there's anything to be offended at. After all, the holiday IS named "Christmas". And Jesus IS what it's all about. So... how am I to blame for "offending" you if I use the term? It's the name of the holiday, and the reason for the season, so, seriously, get over it.

Just keepin' it real over here.

A Miracle.

Well. What do you know? I'm on again before Christmas. It's a miracle!

What can I say, though? Blogging is addicting. Whenever I start at it again, I'm always very involved, until I run out of time again. Which is often. Which is why I'm not some kind of Blogger junkie or something. Besides which, many times I have nothing to say, for my lack of willingness to spill my guts on the Internet, so to speak. When oftentimes, that's all that would happen if I began to type. The keyboard has the oddest way of drawing the deepest sort of things out of me that I'd rather not share - I have to be careful sometimes. Hm. A bewitching thing, this Internet. Not something to be trifled with, you could get yourself into a lot of trouble with it.

In any case, CBC was a rather grand affair today. There were doughnuts in the morning, accompanied by the lovely Christmas cookies that Darylyn, Katy and I made. And which my mommy decorated for us. Our cookie plan came off beautifully and was quite a success - the cookies were a hit. They were ALL gone by the end of the day. It was free dress, so of course we took lots of pictures. Most of them were quite ridiculous, but I suppose I can put up a few of the better ones. (: I'm sure someone might like to see. Here they are.





Christmas cookies! Aren't they just precious?
Mommy did a good job. (:





Darylyn! (:

 



The group!
Left to right: Me, Claudia, Martha(in the back),
Darylyn, Katy, Cait(in the back), Gabby, Sreyrath. (:

 



I love how barely any of us are looking, haha. (:

 



Claudia, Darylyn & Katy! (:

 I'll post some pictures of our Christmas later. (: After we're done with the craziness, I expect. (:

Merry Christmas, and, in the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless us, everyone!"

Eve of Christmas Eve. (:

It is high time for a new post, I should say. I know at least certain people (cough, cough) would agree.

So... Christmastime. What a difficult season to sum up. The craziness has almost become a way of life - except for I don't seem to ever get used to it.

Right now, I am in the midst of wrapping about a million-and-a-half last-minute Christmas gifts, so they will be ready to unwrap tomorrow when I get home from school. Things around here are finally beginning to slow down, as the kids' wrapping projects are nearly finished now, thank goodness. Two-and-a-half-year-olds with scissors and tape is slightly terrifying - definitely don't try it at home. Ha!

Lately, I've hecka been missing being home all the time. When I started going to school, I was super excited that I wouldn't have to be home all day, every day, because it sometimes gets so mundane, you know? But...after a while, school gets pretty mundane too, and I start wishing I was home again. Ahhhh well, the grass is always greener, eh? Such is life. But especially this time of year, my absolute favorite thing is being with my family, at home, hanging out and doing our little Christmas-ey things that we do every year. And it seriously is so lame not being able to do that. The fact that I don't even have time to decorate Christmas cookies with my mamma irritates me beyond even what I would believe sometimes, haha. It's really... stupid. But, it's what I signed up for. I guess even I didn't know what I was getting into. And honestly, compared to what other people are going through during this Christmas season, that I keep hearing about, I've got it pretty good. I mean, yeah, I'd like to be home more, but hey - I actually have two parents, at least. And four grandparents. And a buttload of cousins. I guess even when I'm bummed out, if I take the time to think about it, even a little bit, I'm pretty dang blessed. (: The Lord is good! He has given me so much more than I deserve.

"O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever!"

Praise the Lord for sending His Son to die for our sins, to save us from death, to bring us into marvelous light. For giving us life; a reason to live. He is life. I can't even explain how much I love Him for that. ♥

And now, I retreat to bed, for it is late, and tomorrow shall come quicker than I should like. Good night, my loves, and merry Christmas, for I doubt I shall post again before that. (:

PEACE. ♥

December = Christmas Music.

It's December. Officially. Well, like five days ago, anyway.

Which also means... Christmas music! (: My personal favorite part of the season.

I got four Christmas songs by The Fray for free last year. Which was awesome. I've been enjoying those. Since the Fray is awesome, and Christmas music is pretty awesome too. They just make a great combination. (:

Give Thanks... Really?

Dear World:

In case you hadn't noticed, it's Thanksgiving.

Which is a day in which you can set aside your complaining and grumbling and murmuring and lameness and praise the Lord for all the good things He's given to you! And maybe, just maybe... the sentiment could last through the day...? Or is that too much to ask? Sorry... I didn't mean to demand so much of you. Nevermind that, then.

But, since today IS Thanksgiving, you could maybe, at least, try to think of one eensy tiny thing you're thankful for? And just... keep it in your mind today. Everytime you start to grumble or complain about something... remember that one eensy tiny thing that you couldn't live without, and check yourself. And you can just say, "No, you know what, I'm not going to complain about THIS, because God has put THAT in my life and I'm really, really grateful to Him for THAT and I know He'll take care of THIS in His own time..." and maybe, just maybe, something will come of it.

Or maybe we could challenge ourselves. Maybe we could carry the spirit of the day out... and apply it to our lives, not as some superficial "thank you Lord for all You do for me" sort of thing, although that's a great sentiment, but to really apply it and put it in our hearts and meditate on the good He HAS done for us and to really let that affect our lives. Maybe...

Happy Thanksgiving, kiddos(: May the Lord bless every one of you.

Good Stuff.

Tonight, I made the decision to skip a spa party at a friend's house and go to Team56.

I don't know if I've ever been so happy with a decision before.

It was amazing.

The Lord's presence was there tonight. It was so sick.

Anyways. Really good night.

Real good.

Love that.

♥